disputed lead early, prominent, slight mistake 22nd, mistake 6 out, no impression approaching 2 out, one pace
waited with, bumped 3rd, 4th approaching 2 out and ridden, soon pulled up quickly
soon tracked leaders, led 4th, slow 6th and headed briefly, joined from 14th, led again before 3 out, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well run-in
disputed lead early, prominent, some slight mistakes, no impression from 5 out
waited with, pecked 4th, pulled up before 9th
a little keen, prominent, slight mistake 8th, on terms from 14th, a little slow 19th, pecked badly 29th, not fluent and unseated rider 6 out
took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 25th, on terms 6 out, headed before 3 out, no extra from next
a little keen, soon chased leaders, chased winner from before 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last, one pace
waited with, soon towards rear, bumped rival 3rd, no impression from 5 out
Peter Maher has a good record in races of this type and Ballyboker Bridge is usually placed if managing to get round. However, he has twice finished a long way behind JOSIES ORDERS at Cheltenham and the latter should go one better than last year when beaten a head by Auvergnat as he returned two days later to win easily over 3m. Sizing Coal was beaten 11 lengths by Mtada Supreme here in November 2017 but has made better progress than the fourteen-year-old though the main threat may come from Jarob, who was narrowly beaten into third behind the selection at Cheltenham in November when receiving 10lb so is 4lb better off.
Josies Orders (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) In touch, pushed along after 25th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on to take modest 2nd flat, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 15, 22l behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Sizing Coal (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Led early, headed 3rd, regained lead at 7th, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, mistake and slow jump at last, soon headed, no extra in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ucello Conti (11-11) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ballyboker Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Prominent early, gradually weakened and dropped to rear by 5th, tailed off 5 out, bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Donjon (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Waited with, impeded 13th, 8th at 16th, pecked slightly 21st, no impression from 4 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, dist behind Blue Templar (11-7) at Punchestown 3m 1f gd in Apr.
Jarob 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven to chase clear leaders before 2 out, never a threat, weakened flat, 5th of 15, 30 1/2l behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Like A Demon 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division early, slightly impeded 13th, chasing leaders in 3rd when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f gd in Apr.
Mtada Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Led and disputed, disputed lead from 7 out, led 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon headed and ridden, dropped to 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Josies Orders (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f gd in Feb.
Vital Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Prominent, fell 13th, at Punchestown 3m 1f gd in Apr.
Samsara (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Ww in rr, n trvl fluently, 9th 1/2way, clsr in 7th at 27th (hedge), no ex from 4out, 6th of 15, dist behind Festival Opera (11-11) at Lingstown 3m Yielding - Soft in Mar.
King's Song (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd early, disputed lead from 8th, hampered approaching next, mistake 10th, improved to lead travelling well before 2 out, went clear before last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Apr beating Dark Outsider (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
